Participants Reflect

Past Participants Share Their Experience

As part of our broader public education mission, Global Exchange encourages Reality Tour participants to tell their friends and family about their experiences and the insights they gained while traveling with us. Here are some links to websites, photo galleries and articles written and created by former participants. We've also included articles about Reality Tours found in well-known publications. Please keep in mind that the opinions of our past participants or others writing about us, do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Exchange.

I had a wonderful time, the group was very well integrated, our guides Carleen and Bahman were perfect, our bus driver and assistant were exceptional and Iran was so beautiful, friendly, and a great country to visit. Our interview with the [ayatollah] in Isfahan, our visit at a high school in Tehran, and our visits to the Mosques, the warmth of the people was outstanding.

— Martha Hennessy Perkinsville, Vermont Iran 2008

Fabulous! I would do it again in a heartbeat. People were generous, patient, curious, honest [were] just wonderful...the cultural and historical aspects [were] first rate. Food was delicious.

— Winnie Omodf San Bruno, California Iran 2008

On what stood out about the trip, the opportunities to meet and talk with Iranians in the company of Americans...who were all really committed to the engagement.

— Nancy Penrose Seattle, Washington Iran 2008

This is not the Blarney Castle and donkey cart tour of Ireland. Global Exchange offers a first-rate package for intelligent travelers who want to immerse themselves in the politics and culture of Northern Ireland in the 21st century. It's very, very good and highly recommended.

I have gone on several GX Reality Tours, one to India and Kerala... I found (the tour) to be full, educational and professional. I found many friends on these trips who I stillcommunicate with. More profoundly, I was able to engage ordinary people like myself and find that the views put forward by the American government in the popular media are quite different than reality. Each encounter is the experience of a lifetime with guides that get to internal life of each country, people.

— Polly Connelly, India 2003

I had a GREAT time in Afghanistan. Wahid (Omar, the GX trip leader) was incredible and the rest of the staff couldn't have been better. It was a flawless trip, and considering where we were, that is hard to do. I learned so much and look forward to future trips with global exchange...I have traveled around the world, but this trip tops everywhere I have been.

—Deborah Fulmer, Afghanistan 2003

I've been all over the world, but this was one of the most memorable trips I've taken. It was not a sightseeing trip, but mainly people-to-people with a chance to interact and hear real stories.

—Jim Mosley, South Africa 1996

The trip turned out to be more of a learning experience that I could have imagined it to be. It was an invaluable experience--just incredible!

—Nancy Sasser, Palestine/Israel 1998

The choices offered in terms of activities were varied and extremely interesting. The range of choice, and the availability of options, made it possible to satisfy individual and special interests. Theses options made traveling in a large group not only a positive experience but also an extremely rewarding one!

—Arline Prigoff, Cuba 1999

This was one of the best experiences of my life. It is a wonderful way to break through stereotypes and propaganda that have been forced upon you.

—Pam Best, Cuba 1998

I've just completed the two-week Global Exchange tour here in Ireland and on the whole very satisfied for having come. I felt the experience both realistic and valuable. I am more aware now how much the people of all parties in the North have suffered. It is my intention to become more active politically, both here and in the Bay Area, hopefully to increase awareness.